A Step Away (The Wanderer Book 2)

by Jocelyn Stover

  “We are,” he whispers. “Keep moving.”

  “But...”

  “Is this about Kade?” Hal asks, evading my question by asking one of his own. Caught off guard I stop short. The rich sound of his name is exacting some strange control over my nervous system. Hal has to physically drag me down the jet-way and on to the plane. Taking my seat I wipe my sweaty palms off on my pants but there’s no cure for the butterflies in my stomach or the uncertainty I feel about a man I haven’t seen in five years. I contemplate grabbing the barf bag and breathing into it to slow my racing heart and prevent myself from hyperventilating but think better of it; I don’t want to scare the rest of the boarding passengers. Embracing the only option available to me, I lean back and squeeze my eyes shut trying to block everything out, but I cannot escape. Behind my lids visions of glowing amber eyes, like molten bronze, ensnare me and my imagination roams free, steering me down paths I’m not ready to walk just yet. Releasing a little gasp my eyes snap open and I sit up straight, clutching the armrests of my seat. Closing my eyes was such a bad idea.

  “He said you didn’t fly well, but are you sure you’re all right?” Hal asks with humorous concern etched around the corners of his mouth.

  “I’ll be fine once we’re in the air.”

  “We’ve been in the air for twenty minutes,” he laughs.

  “Then I need a drink,” I breathe, voice quaking. I’m not sure I can handle being alone in my own head a moment longer.

  “Maybe two,” Hal assesses and flags down the flight attendant.

  Two little bottles do the trick and the rest of the flight passes without incident as my anxieties are happily diluted by alcohol. While Hal secures a car for our short drive to Wanderer headquarters I visit the bathroom. When I’m finished, the bright flashes of the largest television screen in the bar across the way draw my eye and the words “breaking news report” scrolling across the bottom secures my attention. Everything around me slows down and time stalls to a stand still while I witness, with millions of others around the globe, the first footage of what happened to the Monarch of the Seas. The first responder footage shows miles of floating debris, which appears to be all that’s left of the once luxurious ship. The bustle of the busy airport makes it hard to hear what the captain of the search vessel that discovered the wreckage earlier this morning is saying, but it doesn’t matter. I know the truth. Shell shocked, I look around at the hundreds of oblivious people going about their daily lives, blissfully unaware. I begin to grieve. Himyar has to be stopped before anyone else gets hurt. It’s time I stopped hiding behind my apron and stepped up to do my part.

  The vibration of the phone in my pocket brings me back to reality.

  “Where are you?” Hal asks when I answer.

  “Coming, I got distracted,” I tell him, ending the call and rushing to our agreed meeting spot. He’s leaning nonchalantly against a black sedan when I arrive but I can tell from his body language he’s anxious. “I’m sorry,” I blurt out as I slide into the vehicle when he opens the door. Hal just closes me in and shakes his head, then waltzes around to the driver’s side and we head out.

  “Hal, what happened to the Monarch of the Seas? I mean, I know what happened, but not the details,” I ask. After Hal left yesterday I’d gone straight home and waited like I was supposed to do. He’d poofed directly into my kitchen this morning, scaring me out of my pajamas and I’m ashamed to admit it, but I’d screamed like a little girl. He’d wasted no time explaining that Himyar had destroyed the ship, escaped, and we were needed in Utah immediately. He had glossed over the details in his haste. While I showered and hustled to pack he’d meddled with Ben’s mind so he wouldn’t even know we were gone. Truthfully, since we left the house, I’ve been so preoccupied with the prospect of seeing Kade again I’d forgotten all about the cruise ship, until now.

  “Kade and Zafir found her adrift and boarded to investigate.” Gripping the steering wheel with both hands he scowls like he’d rather not continue. “Himyar had killed everyone, and I don’t mean he snapped his fingers and everyone dropped dead. He personally executed them all, which explains why he was on that boat so long. You’re aware that he and Zafir have a history. Well, it appears Himyar hasn’t forgotten their friendship either, and he even went so far as to construct a monument to his old friend... out of the bodies of the ship’s children.”

  A sharp intake of breath temporarily robs me of speech and I cover my mouth in disbelief. “Why?” I stammer, stricken.

  “Gwen, you can’t make logical sense of a Sylph.” Glancing my way he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear, searching my face for a moment, for what I’m not sure.

  “We decided to sink the ship to cover up the killings. While it’s still a horrible tragedy, a shipwreck will be much easier for the human mind to fathom, and less likely to cause a war.”

  “A war?” I ask.

  “Yes, if we’d let them find a ship full of dead bodies there would be finger pointing. Humans need to have someone to blame.”

  “Oh,” I say as I realize what he means. “How is he?”

  “Kade, he’s fine.”

  “I meant Z.”

  “Oh.” I smile since it’s not often the overly perceptive Wanderer makes the wrong assumption. “He’s dealing with it.”

  “I’ll bet.” Z’s idea of dealing with things is blowing up a building. I can only imagine how the big guy is handling something like this. Hal smirks, knowing exactly what I mean.

  He parks in the large open courtyard that I assume also serves as the garage since I’ve never seen anyone park anywhere else when we arrive. I reach out and grab his arm before he can exit the car. “Where do we go from here?”

  “Let’s go in and find out, shall we?” Hal answers.

  Releasing his arm, I exit the vehicle and follow Hal inside. It’s a shame we don’t get to visit more often; this place really is extraordinary. Maybe someday we will, I think as I suddenly remember that I’m immortal. While we walk I notice the butterflies tormenting my stomach have given me what I’m sure is only a temporary reprieve, but for which I’m extremely grateful. I’d very much like to focus on the business at hand and not my personal affairs. At least until the gathering is over, and then I’m afraid I really would like to see Kade.

  Rounding a corner we’re funneled into the center of operations for the compound, which also happens to be one of the few corridors I’m familiar with. Up ahead everyone is either gathered outside the conference room or headed into it. My heart rate kicks up a notch when I see the two men I’ve missed most. With my heart lodged in my chest I choose the easy way out. “Z!” I yell, getting immediately swept up in an enormous bear hug by the beast of a man when he hears my voice. Spinning me around until I can’t think straight I beg, “Put me down before I puke.” Complying instantly he sets me down.

  “How are you?” I ask with more than a little concern.

  “I’m fine, been worried about you though,” he answers.

  I want to say more, but I can’t in front of his brothers without disrespecting his privacy. With a look I try to convey everything I’m feeling, but the big cave man interrupts me with another hug. Light headed from being crushed against Z a second time, I don’t notice that he’s steered me around directly into Kade. Like an idiot I stick out my hand for a handshake. Frowning he reaches for my hand but draws me into his arms tucking me under his chin.

  “I’ve missed you,” I manage to say as he lightly strokes my hair. Hearing Adil’s call to order the moment passes, and releasing me he breezes into the conference room without saying a word, like we’d simply been saying hello after a brief absence instead of being reunited after five years.

  “Let’s go,” Hal says, stepping in to scrape me off of the tile to which I’ve apparently become glued. Nodding, I let him lead me to my place at the table so the meeting can begin.

  “Thank you all for coming,” Adil begins. While he and Basal conduct the meeting I find myself ju
st going through the motions, trying to listen but failing miserably. Kade is off to my right and I keep sneaking peeks at him. Why was I such an idiot earlier? A handshake, really! He’s my oldest friend and maybe more, what was I thinking? At some point during the meeting he and Zafir each stand up and address the group directly, giving a first-hand account of their experience. I’m glad Hal somewhat prepared me ahead of time, as it makes it easier to remain clinically detached while listening to the gruesome details of what they witnessed.

  “Bass, the footage please,” Adil requests while stepping back to give Basal room to set up. Footage! I snap to my senses. Hearing about what happened is one thing but I don’t think I can stomach actually seeing the atrocities committed on that boat. Lurching to my feet I ask, “May I please be excused from viewing the footage?”

  “Of course,” Adil replies. His concerned frown follows me as I mumble a thank you and dart from the room. Kade’s eyes flick to mine for the briefest second before my flight and I almost lose my composure. It’s the first time he’s looked at me since the hallway and he’s wearing that heroic how-can-I-make-this-better look on his god-like face. It reminds me so much of the old days that I can’t stand it. Stumbling around outside the conference room, I head to my favorite spot hoping to clear my head. The cavernous home of the Nephilim family tree takes my breath away and I run my hand over the walls while I walk the circumference of the room. Three-fourths of the way around I stop, slide down the wall, draw my knees to my chest, and rest my head. Breathe, I tell myself, just breathe.

  Hal finds me like that after the meeting. Bending down he sits next to me.

  “So what happens next?” I ask him.

  “We continue our ruse in San Diego and work on your training,” he tells me.

  “Is there nothing else we can do?”

  “Until Himyar can be caught there isn’t a lot any of us can do. Zafir has several ideas as to where Himyar may be hiding and Adil is letting him direct the search efforts for the time being.”

  “Are they going back out to sea?” I hop forward and grab Hal’s arm.

  “No.” I visibly relax and sit back upon hearing his answer.

  “Did you want to leave immediately?” Hal asks. I laugh as I remember how I’d demanded we leave directly after the last meeting because I’d gotten into a fight with Kade.

  “No Hal, we can stay as long as we need.”

  “Good,” he says and winks. “We won’t be needed beyond tomorrow. I’ll make the necessary arrangements for our departure.” Standing up, he reaches back and pulls me to my feet. “Now, let me show you to your room.”

  * * *

  “Damn it!” I blurt out after catching the tip of the last stair and stubbing my toe. Lack of concentration seems to be my M.O. today. Hurt and angry I hobble down the hall hoping to run into someone or something that looks familiar soon. I’d paid careful attention when Hal had walked me to my room earlier so this wouldn’t happen. I’d even set the alarm on my phone so I wouldn’t be late for dinner. I haven’t the slightest idea how I’d become so lost.

  “Gwen, is that you?” Zafir’s familiar voice asks from inside an open doorway just ahead.

  “Yes,” I reply about the time he ducks his head out into the hallway.

  “What are you doing down here?”

  “This isn’t the dining room?” My sarcastic reply makes him smile. Following Zafir into a small storage room I find him and Kade packing. Duplicate piles of weapons, ammo, and other survival gear are lined up along the far counter and the guys seem to be shoveling the stacks into duffle bags.

  “We’re heading up there in a minute, just hang tight,” Z tells me, collecting two completed bags from Kade and tossing them onto a cart.

  “What are you doing?” I ask the obvious question.

  “Just restocking,” Kade answers.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To find Himyar,” Kade replies, refusing to face me. Heart-stricken I look at Z. Glancing between the two of us like we’ve suddenly developed the plague Z mutters, “I left something in my room, be right back,” and runs out the door. Coward, I think.

  “You mean you’re running away again,” I conclude, folding my arms over my chest.

  “Excuse me?” he barks as he drops the backpack he’s holding to look at me. Flustered, I begin gesturing with my hands.

  “I just mean, I haven’t seen you in years and things have been bad here. I’ve needed you. The Wanderers are a team; you and Z don’t have to disappear off on your own again.”

  Taking a step towards me, fists clenched, only the slight quiver though his broad shoulders betrays what an effort he’s exerting to remain calm. “You haven’t needed me,” he says, but I know “you haven’t wanted me” is what he means to say. Taken aback, I become defensive.

  “And how would you know? You haven’t been here!” I retort.

  “Just stop. Look, no one’s asked you to give up anything, you’ve gotten everything you’ve ever wanted, and someday you’ll probably have me as well. Keeping you safe is all I have!” Despite the angry tone his liquid amber eyes speak volumes, pleading with me to let him do this, to let him protect me. Brushing past me he storms from the room before my mouth starts working and I can form words again. Turning, I race after him only to be stopped by Z, who steps from the shadows and grabs my wrist.

  “Let him go,” he instructs me. Craning my neck to gaze up into his smoky grey eyes I find no judgment and only sorrow.

  “I didn’t mean...”

  “I know,” he cuts me off. Squeezing my shoulders he repeats, “I know. Let me grab the stuff and we’ll go get something to eat, okay?” Nodding I wait for him to return with the loaded cart from the storage room and then I follow while he leads us to dinner.

  Chapter 12

  Thanks largely to the fact that I got lost, Z and I are the last to arrive for dinner. Well we’re almost the last ones; Kade is nowhere to be seen. Most of the Wanderers have finished eating and are engaged in lighthearted discussion. Upon seeing me, Hal jumps up from his spot at the table and rushes over. “I was worried,” he whispers.

  “I got lost,” I admit and wish for once the guy didn’t notice every detail. “Luckily I ran into Z.” Stepping back Hal eyes me questioningly and I can practically feel the guy piecing together exactly what happened in that overdeveloped brain of his. Then surprisingly he smiles and says, “Let’s get you something to eat.” Latching on to the unexpected blessing for all it’s worth, I follow him to the kitchen where a buffet style spread greets us and I dig in.

  “Put that back!” I yell at Z as he tries to lift a biscuit off of my plate when he saunters in behind me.

  “Just helping you watch your figure.”

  “My figure is fine,” I tell him, snatching back my biscuit. Childishly, I take a big bite out of the thing right in front of Z before returning it to its resting place on top of my mashed potatoes. His rolling laughter follows me as I return to the dining hall. Still somber after what happened downstairs, I avoid Hal by selecting the open seat next to Basal instead.

  “Is this seat taken?” I ask before setting my plate down.

  “No, please sit,” he tells me, half rising like a gentlemen while I take my seat.

  “Thank you.”

  While I eat Bass engages me in pleasant conversation. I’m happy for the distraction and we exchange niceties like good friends who haven’t seen each other in a while. I’d forgotten how much I like him. Halfway finished regaling him with the difficulties I’ve been having exercising control over the elements, I glance up to find Hal locked in conversation with Z. From the frown on his face it’s obvious Zafir has shared with him the explicit details of my encounter with Kade before dinner.

  Damn it. Can’t a girl catch a break? Excusing myself, I slip from the room as stealthily as possible, hoping to avoid the conversation headed my direction until tomorrow. Retracing the route to my room I wonder if this place ever really sleeps or if there is a Wan
derer on duty at all times. With Himyar on the loose, I assume the latter is probably true. Careful this time to count my turns I make a left and step right into Hal. A startled “holy shit” accidently slips out before I regain my composure. Clutching my chest while my heart rate slows I wait for Hal to say something. I’m surprised again when he doesn’t.

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” I tell him before trying to slide past his bulk.

  “Yeah well I do, come on.” The sadness in his voice engages my curiosity and is probably the only reason I follow obediently instead of lashing out. The lights are dim as we traverse the main corridor and return to my favorite room for the second time today. The pale moonlight gives the mighty tree an eerie beauty. Hal stops in the center of the cavern.

  “What?”

  “Just give it a second,” he instructs me. Holding my breath I wait, for what I’m not sure. When Hal begins to move clockwise in a slow circle I follow suit, hoping he doesn’t have some Zen-like exercise planned for us. Halfway around, a bright dot on the far wall draws my gaze.

  “What’s that?” I ask, pointing.

  “What we’re looking for,” he answers. Upon closer inspection I see one of the many names carved onto the massive tree is glowing brightly. I walk forward and run my fingers over it. Gwen Matthews. I read my maiden name aloud.

  “This is me!” I chirp, astonished. “How did you find it?”

  “Magic,” Hal grins. In awe I trace my ancestral line with my fingertip as far back as I can, until the line bends out of reach.

  “If we followed the line to the top would it really tell us who sired my bloodline?”

  “It would. We aren’t here for that, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh.” I let my finger drop, a bit deflated.

  “Five years ago you learned you were more than just human, you were Nephilim. Trapped between two worlds you rose to the occasion when we needed you, unearthing things you never expected in the process.” Listening to Hal’s melodious voice in the dark I bite my lip: his story stirs up feelings I’ve been battling against all day.